Worldwide clean-up led by Cyprus reaches new heights

The Cyprus-led environmental campaign #Potavristou, organised by AKTI Project and Research Centre, united over 3,700 volunteers from 425 locations worldwide this September to collect more than 20 tonnes of trash, a new record for its seventh consecutive year. Volunteers joined efforts across beaches, cities, parks, and lakes, with around 89% of the waste identified as plastic, drawing attention to the ongoing global issue of plastic pollution.

Since its launch in 2019, #Potavristou has grown into a global movement, removing over 110 tonnes of waste from more than 2,000 sites in Cyprus and abroad. The initiative has earned international recognition, including awards from Ocean Conservancy, MIO-ECSDE, the Carob Awards, and most recently a special mention at the Society4Med Awards under the EU’s “Restore our Ocean and Waters” mission. In 2025, AKTI also received the European Citizens’ Gold Award for its long-standing sustainability efforts, with #Potavristou praised as one of its most impactful projects.

The campaign encourages everyone to take part from cleaning beaches and coastal areas, to collecting litter in cities or while boating. Participants can easily log their findings through the Clean Swell app or share results on social media using #potavristou, #akti, and #SeaTheChange, turning individual action into collective environmental impact.